Tips for First Time Buyers

"If you are currently in the market for your first home, you probably have lots of questions. You are about to be making an important decision for your future, a great investment of both money and time. I have a wealth of experience helping first time buyers like you make sound, informed decisions. Here are some tips that can help make your home buying process successful:

Tip #1: Do Your HomeworkThe perfect home won’t find you by itself. The key step in buying a home is doing the proper research. Educate yourself on local schools, neighborhoods, and the kinds of homes available. By reading available materials and talking with experts, you can start to put together your idea of the perfect home.

Tip #2: Start PlanningMost decisions benefit greatly from proper planning, and home buying is certainly no exception. Start a filing system with sections such as home buying, home financing, and service providers. By forming a home buying plan you can more easily focus on the most important factors and help give structure to the entire process. My website is a great resource for property information.

Tip #3: Get PreQualifiedGetting prequalified for a loan normally only requires a short phone conversation with a lender, and can greatly help your home search. Prequalification does not guarantee you a loan, but it does provide you with an estimated monthly payment and a price range to use as a guide when shopping for homes. Being prequalified can also often indicate to sellers that you are a serious, prepared buyer.

Tip #4: Look for ValueWhen shopping for homes, it’s important to consider potential value. Even if you’re not planning to sell the home some time down the line, it’s a good idea to consider the future value of the home. Protect yourself against things like falling prices and gradual shifts in the nature of the neighborhood. You may not think of a new home as a means to make money, but it’s an important investment that requires caution.

Tip #5: Decide What You’re Looking ForSettle on the home features that are important to you (covered parking, hardwood floors, architectural style, etc.) and make an ordered list. Having well established guidelines will help narrow down your search and will prevent you from being shown properties that lack your key amenities. It can help you make the decision not to buy an attractive property that doesn’t really fit your needs. My website has a search feature that allows you to filter thousands of listings based on attributes that you select. If you know you want a brick house with gas heat and a garage, you can get the results you’re looking for.

Tip #6: RelaxYou don’t have to make an offer on the first home you see. Make sure to look at other listings in the area to get a feel for the marketplace. When you decide to make an offer on a house, consult with your real estate professional so that all of your questions are answered.

Tip #7: Shop Around for Your MortgageDeciding on the financing for your home can be as important as choosing a home itself. The first step is deciding what kind of loan best fits you: a fixed rate mortgage, or an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM). There are benefits to each form of loan, and your real estate professional can provide you with more information. Next you’ll want to begin to shop around for different lenders.

Tip #8: Protect YourselfBe careful when signing a contract on a home that allows you to find financing, have the home inspected, and work through any problem areas that may arise. Paying for a quality home inspection is absolutely crucial! You can save yourself thousands in repair costs by being sure of what you’re getting into.

More information for first time buyers can be found on my website, or by giving me a call. I’m confident that I can provide the kind of exceptional service that will make this process an exciting one. Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have, I would love to be of assistance to you."

RE/MAX

281.300.3021
www.CathyManuelHomes.com

Pine Mill Ranch

If you are looking for a QUALITY neighborhood in the Katy area, check out Pine Mill Ranch. It is the Perfect Community with all the Trimmings. Great builders such as Newmark, Perry, and Westin are building their most fashionable floor plans in Pine Mill Ranch. Homes prices range from $170,000-350,000. This family-oriented community is situated next to the 2nd ranked community in the Nation, Cinco Ranch. Although Pine Mill just began development less than 2 years in the Houston area, it ranks 19th among Houston area neighborhoods in sales (The Houston Press). Not to mention it is zone to Katy ISD. I have many clients that look in Cinco Ranch to buy and I often suggest Pine Mill because the homes are a Cinco Ranch quality without paying the “Cinco Ranch Prices”. Pine Mill is not actually considered “Cinco Ranch”, but is RIGHT next to CINCO RANCH, allowing the homes to be a bit cheaper. It is located off of Spring Green, which runs directly into the Westpark Tollway allowing for easy access to the Galleria area. The neighborhood has all the fun amenities for children such as a splash pad, play grounds, and a great pool. The moms in the neighborhood frequently meet for play dates in the morning, which I think is great. I actually recommended Pine Mill to my daughter Lauren and her husband (and my precious grandson) and they built their first home and moved in last December. Actually, I have many clients that have built there. Lauren and her family have really enjoyed the neighborhood so far. Not to mention they have met a lot of new couples. I could go on and on….If you are interested in buying OR selling, I would love to help. Please call me 281-300-3021

First time buyer?

If you’re thinking of buying a home for the first time, you’re probably a bit overwhelmed by the idea of it all. You have to think about whether or not to use a buyer’s agent, how to secure a mortgage, and what exactly it is that you’re looking for in a home. Most people forget to do one important thing: breathe.
The search for your first home can be stressful, so try not to put it all on your shoulders at once. Even if you haven’t decided whether or not to use a real estate agent, I’d be happy to help you get started. Sometimes the most important thing is getting pointed in the right direction. If you’re interested, my website has tips for first time homebuyers that you may find useful. Please call me if I can be of help to you during this exciting time.